Bel Canto Chorus Announces Winners of Annual Regional Artists Competition

April 22, 2011 - PRLog -- Milwaukee – Bel Canto Chorus is pleased to announce the winners of its 22nd Annual Regional Artists Competition. Twelve finalists competed on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Soprano Romelia Lupas of Detroit, Michigan, and Countertenor Eric Jurenas of Cincinnati, Ohio, have been named the co-winners of this year’s competition.  Lupas and Jurenas each won a $1,000 prize and a solo engagement with the Bel Canto Chorus for its 2011-2012 season.  Winning was especially sentimental for Lupas -- her voice instructor at Wayne State University, Frances Brockington, won this very competition eighteen years ago.

Judges for the competition were Richard Hynson, Music Director for Bel Canto Chorus; Michelle Hynson, Assistant Conductor for Bel Canto Chorus; Dr. James Kinchen, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Music Director of the Milwaukee Choristers; Lucia Matos, Music Director of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra; and William Florescu, General Director of the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee.

The Bel Canto Regional Artists Competition was established to encourage and support singers who reside in or originate from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio.  Previous winners of the competition have gone on to sing on nationally recognized stages throughout the United States and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera.

Now in its 80th year, Bel Canto Chorus is Milwaukee’s premier independent choral organization. Founded in 1931, Bel Canto is committed to enriching the lives of its audiences and singing members through the outstanding live presentation of high quality choral music.

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Bel Canto Chorus is Milwaukee’s premier choral organization. Founded in 1931, Bel
Canto is committed to enriching the lives of its audiences and singing members through
the outstanding live presentation of choral music.